Remembering and Celebrating

July 12, 2009

Background Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:1 – 8
Lesson Passage: Deuteronomy 16:1 – 8

Rarely do we associate a celebration with education. When we celebrate, we often push our emotion of happiness to its extreme. On the other hand, when we learn, we tend to have a serious disposition. We tend to keep those activities separate. Contrary to this, celebrations and education were an intricate part of Jewish society. The Jewish celebrations (or as we would call them, red letter days on our calendar) were all connected to some aspect of the history of God’s dealings with their ancestors. The celebrations were reminders from one generation to another of God’s faithfulness to the descendants of Jacob. The Jews developed a very rich oral tradition to maintain the history of their race.

Today’s lesson focuses on the Passover Meal ritual of the Jews. Every aspect of this memorial supper had historic significance. The day it was celebrated commemorated the day that Israel came out of Egypt based on a new calendar that was instituted at the same time. The unleavened bread commemorated the haste in which the Hebrews were rushed out of Egypt because of the death of the Egyptian first born. Because the Jews were rushed out of Egypt by the Egyptians, they did not have time to properly leaven the bread dough so that it would rise. The roasted lamb was a reminder that the first born of the Hebrews were spared because the blood of the Passover lamb was applied over and on the sides of their doors. The place where the lamb was to be sacrificed was chosen by the Lord and not the individual households. This commemorated the fact that the Jews had always relied on God as a nation of people and were not to become independent of his guidance. That none of the lamb could be left until morning was another reminder that the Jews were rushed out of Egypt soon after they had eaten. The Passover Meal was perhaps more of a memorial than a celebratory meal. Everything about it communicated from one generation to the next the importance of Israel’s reliance on God for deliverance and nurture. Whatever question could be asked about the observance could only be answered properly by teaching some Hebrew history.

As one studies the text of today’s lesson, the strong parallels between the Passover Meal and the Lord’s Supper are evident. The difference, however, between these two is filled with details that make them very different rituals. The Passover Meal is only observed once a year in the place designated by God for that purpose. For the Passover Meal, the time of the year is just as important as the location of the observance. In spite of the differences, Christians believe that the Passover Meal foreshadowed the Lord’s Supper. This is evident from the Apostle Paul’s writings. As we study the text today, let us not forget that the difference between the two is what makes them two distinct celebrations.

Robert C. Hudson
June 24, 2009